The Brownprint

Halim Flowers is an author, poet, artist and prison reform activist from Washington, DC. At age 16, he was charged as an adult for being an accomplice to a felony murder and sentenced to a term of 40 years to life in prison. While incarcerated, he discovered his love for literature and the arts, and began to write poetry. After serving 22 years behind bars he was released, using his influence to help enact the Incarceration Reduction Amendment Act. He is now a prolific artist, with works shown across the country in some of the world's most prestigious galleries, alongside Warhol, Basquiat and more. He currently uses his newfound notoriety to help those currently or formerly incarcerated by pushing for criminal justice reform.

In this episode, Cari and Halim talk about the environment that led to his prison sentence, how he used that time to become a successful poet and author, and hi adjustment to life outside of prison – from learning to paint to eventually showing his works some of the world's most prestigious art galleries.

Follow The Brownprint on Instagram @thebrownprintpodcast and on Twitter @brownprintpod. Email us at brownprintpod@gmail.com.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Amara La Negra is singer, actress and host. She is perhaps best known for being a cast member on the VH1’s reality TV show, 'Love & Hip Hop: Miami.' On the show, she tries to bring light to sexism, classism, colorism and racism in the entertainment industry. She also recently became a new mother to twins and hosts a podcast called Exactly Amara. 

In this episode, Amara talks about the challenges of her Afro-Latina identity, how it has affected her career, and her hopes to educate people about Afro-Latinos. She also discusses the regrets she has from filming a reality show and the ways motherhood has changed her.

Follow The Brownprint on Instagram @thebrownprintpodcast and on Twitter @brownprintpod. Email us at brownprintpod@gmail.com.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jordan Chiles is a highly decorated American gymnast. She is a member of the United States women's national artistic gymnastics team with whom she won a Silver medal at the 2020 Summer Olympics. She won the Gold at 2018 Pacific Rim champion on the vault and the floor exercise. At the 2018 Stuttgart World Cup she won the Bronze in the all-around. Currently she is a member of the UCLA Bruins gymnastics team. 

In this conversation she discusses the words of wisdom her friend Simone Biles gave her and she explains what it was like to fill in for Simone in the Olympics. Jordan talks about mental health and what she faces as a person of color in gymnastics.

Follow The Brownprint on Instagram @thebrownprintpodcast and on Twitter @brownprintpod. Email us at brownprintpod@gmail.com.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Allyson Felix is the most decorated track and field athlete of all time, with 11 Olympic medals – 7 gold – and over 25 global medals at the Olympics and World Championships combined. Off the track, she is an advocate for black maternal health, a member of the Right to Play board and founder of the lifestyle brand, Saysh. 

In this episode, Allyson discusses challenging Nike's treatment of pregnant athletes, her life-threatening pregnancy, and preparation for her final Olympics after the birth of her daughter. Plus, she speaks to the importance of being valued by your sponsors. 

Follow The Brownprint on Instagram @thebrownprintpodcast and on Twitter @brownprintpod. Email us at brownprintpod@gmail.com.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Michelle Williams is a Grammy winning singer, actress and author. She rose to fame in the 2000s as a member of R&B girl group Destiny's Child, one of the best-selling female groups of all time. Michelle has also made a name for herself on the theatre stage and gospel music scene. In 2021, she dropped her first book, "Checking In: How Getting Real about Depression Saved My Life---and Can Save Yours," where she shared her struggles with depression and anxiety.

In this episode. Cari and Michelle dive deep into the challenges Michelle has faced and the steps she’s taken to combat them, how this journey has helped her find her purpose and the importance of transparency with your loved ones.

Follow The Brownprint on Instagram @thebrownprintpodcast and on Twitter @brownprintpod. Email us at brownprintpod@gmail.com

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Michael Vick is a FOX Sports NFL Analyst and retired NFL quarterback. He played in the NFL for 13 seasons and is lauded for transforming the quarterback position. However, many of his accomplishments were overshadowed when he was sentenced to federal prison for participating in dog fighting.

In this episode, Michael opens up about the mistake that landed him in prison and what he wished he could have done differently. He and Cari discuss they way he was able to turn it around and those who helped him along the way. Plus, they talk about the current roster of NFL quarterbacks who were influenced by Michael’s revolutionary playing style.

Follow The Brownprint on Instagram @thebrownprintpodcast and on Twitter @brownprintpod. Email us at brownprintpod@gmail.com.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Tank is a singer, songwriter, producer and actor. He has sold millions of records, received 5 Grammy nominations and has worked with some of the biggest names in R&B — including Ginuwine, Tyrese, Aaliyah and Jamie Foxx. This year he announced he's leaving the music industry following the release of his last album, ‘R&B Money,’ dropping later this summer.

In this episode, Cari and Tank discuss the biggest battle a musician can face: hearing loss. Tank breaks down how he’s navigated this life altering condition and stays positive while pursuing new opportunities. Plus — he shares his secret to success and some fun insight on his friendship with Jamie Foxx. 

Follow The Brownprint on Instagram @thebrownprintpodcast and on Twitter @brownprintpod. Email us at brownprintpod@gmail.com.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jodie Sweetin is an American actress, author and podcaster. In a career that spans over thirty years, she is best known for her role as Stephanie Tanner in the classic comedy ‘Full House ‘and it’s Netflix reboot, ’Fuller House.’ Most recently, she appeared in the reality series, ‘Beyond the Edge,’ where participants live in the Panamanian jungle to raise money for charitable organizations. Jodie also hosts a podcast, “Never Thought I'd Say This.”

In this episode, Jodie opens up about overcoming addiction, how becoming a mother helped her resolve her issues from being adopted and embracing all the twists that life has to offer.

Plus —she shares the way the Fuller House reboot came about and how much her co-star Bob Saget meant to her.

Follow The Brownprint on Instagram @thebrownprintpodcast and on Twitter @brownprintpod. Email us at brownprintpod@gmail.com.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

MC Lyte is a hip-hop pioneer. She gained success in the late 1980s and early 90s, becoming the first female solo rapper to release a full length album, ‘Lyte as a Rock.’ With a career spanning decades, she has dipped her toe in acting, producing, entrepreneurship and more. Currently, she stars in the ALLBLK series ‘Partners in Rhyme’ which she developed and produced.

In this episode, Cari and MC Lyte delve into Lyte’s multifaceted career and the way she’s been able to pivot and reinvent herself. Plus — MC Lyte shares her hope for the next generation of female rappers, mentions peers who have helped guide her, and discusses the importance of taking control of a situation before it falls apart.

Follow The Brownprint on Instagram @thebrownprintpodcast and on Twitter @brownprintpod. Email us at brownprintpod@gmail.com.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sam Jay is an Emmy-nominated comedian, writer, actress and producer. She was a staff writer for 'Saturday Night Live' until 2021, and just this year she has launched season 2 of her HBO Max show, 'PAUSE with Sam Jay,' starred in and wrote on Peacock's 'Bust Down,' and will appear in the Netflix film 'You People' alongside Jonah Hill, Eddie Murphy and Julia Louis Dreyfus.

In this episode, Sam discusses pursuing comedy at age 29, joining SNL with no writing experience, and helping to create one of its most memorable sketches. She also explains how she navigates the backlash from telling an offensive joke.

'PAUSE with Sam Jay' is streaming on HBO Max. You can catch up on both seasons there.

Follow The Brownprint on Instagram @thebrownprintpodcast and on Twitter @brownprintpod. Email us at brownprintpod@gmail.com.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Veteran broadcast journalist Cari Champion is back for season 2 of ‘The Brownprint: The Comeback’.

Once again, Cari sits down with a roster of A-listers for raw, thoughtful and honest conversations--with a twist. This season, many of our guests not only paved their own path, but overcame setbacks and adversity to come back stronger than ever. Joining Cari are remarkable people from across disciplines and backgrounds; actors, olympians, entertainers and more, bravely sharing their journeys with depression, incarceration, addiction and other struggles.

Cari hopes their stories will serve as a guide and offer tools for others facing adversity, and maybe even inspire you to turn your trials into triumphs.

Launching June 29th, with new episodes dropping every Wednesday. Subscribe to keep up with the latest episodes and guests, and follow us on Instagram (@thebrownprintpodcast) and on Twitter (@ BrownprintPod)."

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Tia Mowry has been doing it all for a very long time. She's an actress, entrepreneur and bestselling author. Tia is known for her breakout role in the '90s sitcom Sister, Sister, alongside her twin sister Tamera. From 2006 to 2015, she starred in the series The Game, and she currently stars in the Netflix series Family Reunion. She’s also written numerous books and co-founded Anser, a supplement and vitamin brand.

In this episode, Tia discusses how her parents kept her humble while she was a child star and how she had to learn to not compete with anyone other than herself. She also explains how her endometriosis diagnosis changed her life. 

Follow The Brownprint on Instagram @thebrownprintpodcast and on Twitter @brownprintpod. Email us at brownprintpod@gmail.com. 

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Nicco Annan is an actor, dancer, and choreographer who has been making a splash on the Starz drama P-Valley. He was raised in Detroit, Michigan. A performer at an early age, Annan ended up getting hired as the choreographer in residence at Yale School of Drama, then moved to LA to pursue acting. He made appearances in Claws, Shameless, This is Us, and Snowfall. He is now the breakout star of P-Valley, playing Uncle Clifford. 

Nicco talks about growing up in Detroit and getting in touch with his Ghanaian roots. He discusses the importance of being self-assured and how a rising career can feel like falling, while falling can feel like rising. 

Follow The Brownprint on Instagram @thebrownprintpodcast and on Twitter @brownprintpod. Email us at brownprintpod@gmail.com. 

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

She's arguably the greatest. Laila Ali did what even her legendary father didn't do, she retired undefeated. Laila ended her storied boxing career with 24 wins and zero loses. Her career started in 1999 and she retired in 2007 after holding the WBC, WIBA, IWBF and IBA female super middleweight titles, and the IWBF light heavyweight title. She has published 3 books and has created her own food line and skin and wellness products.

Laila discusses growing up with her famous father and how she took the best and sometimes the less great aspects of both her parents. She talks about how she got into boxing and how she raises her kids. You'll hear how fiercely independent she is and how even an undefeated champ can still have regrets. 

Follow The Brownprint on Instagram @thebrownprintpodcast and on Twitter @brownprintpod. Email us at brownprintpod@gmail.com.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Caron Butler is a retired two-time NBA All-Star having played for some of the biggest franchises in the NBA such as the Lakers, The Heat, The Pistons and more. He was a pivotal player in the game, playing along side greats like Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neil. Today he's the assistant coach for the team that first drafted him, The Miami Heat, and his story is one of pure inspiration. 

He joins Cari to discuss how he almost became a statistic, like many young black kids having been exposed to trauma at an early age. He was a drug dealer at age 12 and a new father at age 13. He was arrested 15 times before the age of 15. However, he turned it around and made a decision not to end up like so many friends who died at an early age. Caron’s 14 year career is one of exemplary performance, hard work and dedication. This Brownprint is filled with Caron's personal principles of success – determination, dedication, and discipline that took him to the top.

Follow The Brownprint on Instagram @thebrownprintpodcast and on Twitter @brownprintpod. Email us at brownprintpod@gmail.com.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

If you’re even a little bit curious about our planet or the stars above us then you know who Neil Degrasse Tyson is. The astrophysicist, author and science advocate inspires millions about the wonders of the universe and fuels our curiosity about our place in the cosmos. Be sure to check out his latest book Cosmic Queries: StarTalk's Guide to Who We Are, How We Got Here, and Where We're Going.

He joins Cari to discuss his journey from a kid growing up in the bronx to the international science communicator he has become, and director of the famous Hayden Planetarium. Plus, his love of science and how his average grades did not dictate what he wanted to do with his life. Most importantly Neil talks about keeping up your momentum no matter what hurdle comes your way, always keeping your fuel tank of ambition full and never stop asking questions. 

Follow The Brownprint on Instagram @thebrownprintpodcast and on Twitter @brownprintpod. Email us at brownprintpod@gmail.com.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Glennon Doyle is a NY Times Best Selling author, activist and thought leader. Her incredibly raw and honest writings speak to millions about listening to their own voice—the voice that has been silenced by decades of cultural conditioning and institutional allegiances.

Glennon tells Cari that we've all been conditioned to be something. And in that conditioning, we've lost the ability to hear our inner voice—out of fear, we ignore it and chase a happiness that the world told us we must find. She also opens up about her struggles with mental health and addiction. In finding sobriety, she also found the courage to embrace her flaws and realize that the point of life is not to just feel happy, but to feel everything. Glennon pushes her readers to build a life of their own based on individual desire, intuition and imagination. This conversation is one you won’t forget and you will want to hear, if for no other reason than to reclaim your true, untamed self.

Follow The Brownprint on Instagram @thebrownprintpodcast and on Twitter @brownprintpod. Email us at brownprintpod@gmail.com.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Levar Burton needs no introduction, the man is a cultural icon. You may have grown up watching him on TV nn the educational show Reading Rainbow, or maybe you saw him as Kunta Kinte in Roots, one of the first television dramas to address slavery in the mainstream. If you’re a trekkie you definitely watched him as Georgie LaForge in Star Trek, The Next Generation. When you get down to it he is an amazing storyteller, and he's inspired a generation in so many ways.

On this episode of the Brownprint he talks knowing your purpose and how the universe will ultimately support your endeavors, his drive for social justice, and the importance of reading as a fuel for your imagination engine. What he believes is our most important skillset.

Follow The Brownprint on Instagram @thebrownprintpodcast and on Twitter @brownprintpod. Email us at brownprintpod@gmail.com.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Wyclef Jean holds many titles; Producer, singer, poet, musician, politician, composer, but his most important title is that of Luminary. Through art and music he aims to inspire others.

Wyclef discusses his childhood in Haiti growing up with his grandmother in a spiritual household. Then the culture shock and adjustment of emigrating to the states at 9 years old and trying to fit in and find his place. Plus the role that hiphop played in his youth and how it literally saved his life, turning his anger and resentment at the struggles he faced into power and inspiration.

Follow The Brownprint on Instagram @thebrownprintpodcast and on Twitter @brownprintpod. Email us at brownprintpod@gmail.com.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Matt Barnes is a former NBA player who played 14 seasons and helped the Golden State Warriors win the championship in 2017. (Oh, and the Warriors finished the playoffs with a 16–1 record, which was the best postseason winning percentage in NBA history!) This second-round draft pick started his professional career on the sidelines of the action, and it took him a couple of years to find the right team in order to shine. 

In this episode, the so-called "NBA Bad Boy" opens up about how his upbringing made him tough on the court and why his new chapter can be more fulfilling than his 14 seasons in the NBA. This episode is filled with lessons about creating your brownprint without even planning on it.

Follow The Brownprint on Instagram @thebrownprintpodcast and on Twitter @brownprintpod. Email us at brownprintpod@gmail.com.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.